The report, Linux Strategies and Solutions. . . Linux Suppliers Contend for Leadership, compares Linux strategies, products, offerings, and services available from major system vendors and rates IBM as an industry leader, highlighting IBM's comprehensive Linux strategy and crediting the company with bringing Linux to the enterprise.

"IBM's Linux strategy is very strong in most key areas studied. Indeed, IBM has been instrumental in enabling and driving the Linux market to its present success," said Pierre Fricke, executive vice president, D.H. Brown Associates, Inc.

The report analyzes IBM, Compaq, Dell, HP, and Sun in the key areas of vendor positioning, product line breadth, system pricing, value added, services and support, applications focus and Linux community involvement.

IBM received the highest ranking of differentiation and leadership in most of these key areas, with the D.H. Brown report noting IBM's comprehensive Linux offerings. "IBM has developed a comprehensive Linux strategy including all elements from hardware and software through services and partner programs," said Fricke.

"In the three years since IBM has embraced Linux, we have worked with our customers and the open source community to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the industry," said Steve Solazzo, vice president, Linux, IBM. "IBM is in the unique position to offer our customers a total solution on Linux through our hardware, software and services."

DH Brown gave IBM the highest rating of leadership in the following areas:

Vendor Positioning - IBM is recognized for its broad strategies and its aggressive pursuit of new market segments with Linux.